When family contemplates options for dual diagnosis
addiction treatment, they often think of drug rehab, psychiatric
hospitalization and strong psychotropic medications…and these all can have a
place in a treatment regimen for more seriously afflicted patients. Family
tends to overlook some of the less intrusive environmental factors than can
exert a significant influence on mental health and stability, and overall
quality of life.

Sleep, Eat, Exercise

Sleep right, eat right and get some exercise. Not exactly
rocket science, but improve in these three areas and you’d be hard pressed not
to feel better.

It’s a recipe for health and happiness for anyone, but for
those facing a dual diagnosis, taking proper care of the physical earns
enormous dividends within the mental realm. Good nutrition promotes glycemic
stability beneficial to an evenness of mood and emotions, free from the highs
and lows induced by sugar and junk. Getting all needed vitamins also protects
from nutrient deficiencies that can have a significant influence on mood,
thought and even mental health. Good nutrition makes a difference.

Insomnia promotes ruminant, maladaptive thinking, it induces
more solitary lifestyles, and insomnia also leads to greater rates of substance
abuse and addiction. Exercise tires the physical, increasing the propensity towards
a good night's rest. Vigorous and sustained exercise causes a release of
natural feel-good endorphins, and regular exercise can replenish the brain's levels
of mood and sleep stabilizing serotonin.

Exercise, sleep, and good healthy meals; they affect far more
than the physical alone.

Healthy habits do not cure serious psychiatric challenges,
but they always help, they create a stability of mood, can restore certain
neuro chemicals to optimal levels and can reduce the difficulties inherent in overcoming
addiction or alcoholism. Whatever the severity of the condition, a bettering of
environmental and lifestyle factors can induce a bettering of psychiatric
symptoms manifestation. Little things can sometimes make a difference and small
changes together can create a whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Early recovery from addiction involves countless changes in perception, behavior, and self regulation. Diagnosing people who are less than six months sober is extremely problematic and should be avoided whenever possible. Diagnoses are labels that too often become prophecies. Read Article

Should you take an antidepressant during early recovery - or while still drinking/using? Does your substance abuse cause your depression or is it the other way around? Read on for an overview of your options and for more information on when SSRIs will help, and when they won’t.Read Article